Touch-regulating attachment for pianos.



No. 756,016. PATBNTBD MAB.. 29,v 1904. L. HARRISS & W. H. KENDALL. TOUCHREGULATING ATTACHMENT FOR PIANOS.

` APPLICATION FILED MAR. 12, 190s. No MODEL. a SHEETS-SHEET 1.

MWMHHIIII 12.; z

I @www A. TATBNTBD MAR. 29,1904. L. HARRIss A w. H. K ENDALL. TOUGHRBGULATING ATTACHMENT TOR PIANos. l

ATPLIGATIoHv TILBD uAnQvlz, 190s.

a SHEETS-SHEET a.

N0 MODEL.

Patented March 29, 1904.1.'

'PATENT` OFFICE.

LANGDON HARRISS AND WILLIAM H. KENDALL, OF WAGO, TEXAS.

TOUCH-REGULATING ATTACHMENT FOR PIANOS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 756,016, dated March29, 1904.

Application led Marfil! 12, 1903. Serial No. 147,522. (No model.) l

To a/ZZ whom t uta/y concern."

Be it known that we, LANGDON HARRIss and WILLIAM H. KENDALL, citizens ofthe Unitedl of tension or stiffness of the keys may be afl forded.

To this end the invention contemplates a simple and practical type oftouch-regulating mechanism applicable to any of the ordinary makes ofupright pianos and providing effectual means for regulating thestiffness or resistance of the keys at the desire of the per-- former.

The invention also provides a construction wherein the regulation of thekey-action is uniform throughout the entire keyboard,

while at the same time the mechanism is so constructed as to preventsluggishness or stickingof the keys,besides securing the greatestelasticity and responsiveness of touch.

Also the invention has in view a construction wherein the student isenabled to secure a maximum finger and Wrist strength, suppleness, andendurance, affording the complete range of manual calisthenics, by meansof which the student is enabled to obtain the desired technique. y

Furthermore, the invention provides a construction which contributesmaterially to the elasticity and responsiveness of the piano-action-without lost motion, looseness, or rattling of the keys, and also hasin view anovelv arrangement of parts wherein any desired degree oftension or stiffness may be obtained and such tension or stiffnessaccurately indicated to the performer through the medium of aconveniently-located indicator device.

With these and many other objects in view, which Will more readilyappear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the sameconsists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement ofparts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated, andclaimed. f

The essential feature of the invention involved in the novelconstruction and arrangement of the regulating mechanism proper, theoperating device therefor, and the tension-indicator is necessarilysusceptibleto considerable modification without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention; but a preferred embodiment of theimprovements is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1is a front elevation of an upright piano with the cover and piano-actionremoved and exposing the operative arrangement of the touch-regulatingattachment. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating aportion of the piano-keyboard and showing more plainly the constructionand arrangement of therregulating-rail carrying the series or gang ofindependently-yieldable pressure-pins. Fig. 3 is a detail crosssectionalview on the line 3 Bof Fig. 2, showing the preferred mounting of one ofthe independently-yieldable pressure-pins. Fig. 4 is an lelevation ofthecomplete attachment per se disassociated from the piano. Fig. 5 is aperspective view of the under side of the piano-keyboard, exposing theconstruction of operating device for throwing the regulating elements inand out of action and also for varying the pressure thereof upon thevkeys. Fig. 6 is afragmentary elevation of a modified form of thetouch-regulating attachment or mechanism, illustrating a sectionalconstruction wherein the support or `mountings for the individualregulating elements or pins are separate and distinct and areindividually removable and replaceable with reference to theregulating-rail proper. Y Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view transverseof the regulatingrail and including the adjacent portions of thevpiano-case to better illustrate the construction and arrangement of theparts showninFi'g. 6. Fig. 8 is a detail in perspective of a portion ofthe operating device associated with the modified construction shown inFigs. 6 and'?.

Like reference-numerals designate corresponding parts throughout theseveral figures of the drawings.

The adaptation of the invention to a piano requires no alteration of thelatter and does not interfere with the usual manipulation of IOO theinstrument, while at the same time adding to the latter the function ofembodying' means whereby the degree of stiffness or resistance of thekeys may be regulated at the desire of the performer.

For illustrative purposes there is shown in the drawings a suflicientportion of an upright piano to indicate the operative position of thecooperating elements of the touch-regulating mechanism, and referringparticularly to these drawings the numeral 1 designates the case or bodyportion of the instrument housing the usual piano-'action and supportingthe keys 2, cooperating with the piano-action in the usual manner.

/Vhatmightbe properly termed the main part of the touch-regulatingmechanism comprises a pressure member 3, preferably in the form of avertically-movable regulating-rail arranged in an upright position overthe rear portions of the keys 2 inside of the case of the piano andextending longitudinally the full length of the keyboard, as may beplainly seen from Fig. 1 of the drawings. This vertically-movableregulating-rail may be constructed in various ways without departingfrom the invention; but a practical construction is shown in thedrawings as consisting of a pair of upper and lower rail-bars 4 and 5,made of thoroughly-seasoned wood and arranged in spaced parallelrelation. These upper and lower rail-bars 4 and 5 constitute the mainbody portion of the rail and are rigidly braced together in any approvedmanner. Usually the rail-bars are rigidly united and braced togetherthrough the medium of a body-plate 6, extending the full length of therail and firmly secured to one side of the bars, as plainly shown inFigs. 2 and 3 of the drawings. By reason of the body-plate 6 at one sideof the bars 4 and extending' the entire length of the latter the samedegree of strength is provided throughout the regulating-rail, and therail structure is further strengthened by end blocks 7, located at theopposite ends of the rail and firmly united to the terminals of the bars4 and 5, so as to constitute an intimate part of the rail construction.

The verticallymovable regulating-rail is held to a working positionwithin the pianocase, so as to not interfere in the least with thepiano-action therein. lhile various expedients may be employed formaintaining the rail to movement in a fixed plane, a simple constructionfor effecting this result is illustrated as consisting in the employmentof stationary guide-brackets 8, arranged in an upright position withinthe case and secured to portions thereof adjacent to the opposite endsof the rail. The said rail 3 in itself constitutes a carrier for aseries or gang of individual regulating' elements 9. These regulatingelements are preferably in the form of verticallyarrangedindependently-yieldable pressurepins working in vertieally-alincdguide-openings 10, provided in the Lipper and lower railbars 4 and 5 andprovided at their lower ends with cushion-contact feet 11, designed toengage with and bear on the upper side of' the rear end portion of thekeys with which they are associated. ently-yieldable andvertically-arranged pins 9 has fitted thereon at an intermediate point afelt or equivalent abutment-collar 12, between which and the upperrail-bar 4 is interposed a tension -spring 13, which is compressed toany desired degree by the downward adjustment of the regulating-rail 3in the .manner to be presently explained.

The independently-yieldable vertically-arranged pressure-pins 9, carriedby the regulating-rail 3, usually consist of wooden rods, though anysuitable material may be utilized in the making thereof. However, in alleases the said pins 9 correspond in number and .position to the keys ofthe piano, so that there is one pressure-pin 9 associated with each key,so that when the regulating-rail is lowered each of the keys will haveimposed thereon the pressure of one of the pins.

The adjustment vertically of the movable regulating-rail to and from thekeys is accomplished through the medium of an operating deviceconveniently accessible to the performer. This operating device includesa pair of synchronouslymovable adjustinglevers 14, arranged at the underside of the keyboard. These adjusting-levers are preferably disposedwithin the vertical plane of' the pressure member or regulating-rail 3,and each of the same is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends, as at15, in a hanger-bracket 16, fitted to the under side of the keyboard,and at its outer extremity each of said levers has adjustably connectedtherewith through the medium of the clamping-nuts 17 the lower threadedend 18 of a pull-rod 19, the upper end of which is suitably connected,as at 20, to one end of the pressure member or regulating-rail 3.

The pi\f*otally-hung adjusting-levers 14 extend inwardly from theirterminal connections with the pull-rod 19 to a central point beneath thekeyboard, and at such point the said Vadjusting-levers are provided withloosely-interlocked rabbeted ends 21, working upon a-guiding-bracket 22,fitted to the bottom of the keyboard and beneath which rabbeted endsbears the inner engaging nose .23 of a vertically-swingingactuating-lever 24. This vertically-swinging actuating-lever 24pivotally hung at its outer extremity, as at 25, upon asupporting-bracket 26, also mounted upon the under side of thekeyboardLand which bracket is provided with a threaded nut-opening 27,receiving the threaded shank 28 of the setting member Q9, which settingmember is preferably in the form of a screw. The inner end of thethreaded shank 28 preferably en- Each of the said independ- IOO IIO

gages a bearing socket or groove 30, provided in the pivoted end portionof the lever 24, whereby said lever will readily accommodate itself tothe endwise movement of the screw or setting member 29 as it ismanipulated through the nut or nut-opening 27. Associated with theseelements constituting the operating device is a readjusting-spring 31,which may be conveniently interposed between theY upper side of `one ofthe levers 14 and the under side of the keyboard, so that when thesetting member is moved outward to relieve the actuating-lever 24 thesaid spring 31 is Vpermitted to exert its tension in a downwarddirectionupon both of the adjusting-levers by reason of theirinterlocked connection, with the consequence of moving the pull-rods 19upwardly, and thus elevating the pressure member or regulating-rail tothe desired position. k

Another feature of the invention resides in associating with thetouch-regulating mechanism proper a tension-indicator whereby theperformer may determine accurately the degree of strength, pressure, orresistance imposedupon the keys by the. individual regulating elementscarried by the member or rail This tension-indicator includes in itsorganization a pointer 32, which may be conveniently exposed throughaslot33, provided in the cheek-block 34, arranged at one end of thekkeyboard, and upon which cheek-block is arranged a suitableindicating-scale 35, having suitable graduations along which thevpointer plays to give the proper indications. The saidl pointer32 ispreferably carried at one end of a carrier-rod 36, the other end ofwhich is vconnected to one arm of an .adjusting bellcrank 37, pivotallymounted at its angle in the supporting-bracket 38, fitted to thepiano-case,

andwhose other arm is suitably connected at 39 to the adjacent end ofthe .pressure member or regulating-rail 3. By reason -of theseconnections the indicator is directly responsive to the movement of thepressure memberor regulating-rail, with the consequence of i givingaccurate indication upon the scale 35 of the tensionior pressure withwhich the regulating elements or pressure-pins x9 are held uponthe-keys.

By reason of employing a setting member 29 of a screw-rod type itwill beobvious that the same acts in the capacity of a lock for holding theregulating-rail firmly set in any position to which .it may be adjusted,and inf The essential features of the construction` with.reference tothe rail proper.

keys'within the case orI housing;

already described may be preserved in modifications such as suggested inFigs. 6, 7, and 8 of. the drawings. In these figures of the drawings isillustrated a very practicaland advantageous construction, which greatlysimplifies the trapwork, while at the same time presenting a sectionaltype of attachment wherein the carrying'or supporting means for theindividul regulating elements or pins are separate and distinct fromeach other, and hence are individually removable and replaceable y Thissupplies the distinct ad vantage of making all parts lof thetouch-regulating attachment individually accessible for purposes ofrepair or adjustment, which is of special importance in connection with'the individual regulating elements or pins on account of the necessityat times of replacing or adjusting the spring therefor'.

Referring more particularly to the modified construction, thereference-numeral 3 designates the vertically-movable regulating-railproper, which essentially consists of a'single bar or strip of wood incontradistinction to the upper and lower rail-bar constructionpreviously described, but occupying the same position over therear'portions of the pianorlhe saidl vertically-movable regulating-railis held to its proper workingposition within thecase by such expedienteas suggested in connection with the rail'3 vof the other-constructionand isintended to be normally andyieldingly The vertically-movablespring-supported regulating-rail 3 is provided at its upper and lowerlongitudinal edges with the upper and lower undercut.holding-grooves36and 37, respectively, with which cooperate the separate mountings forthe individualv regulating elements or pins, whereby said mountings areindividually removable and replaceablev for the purposes indicated;

In the construction being described each of the regulating elements orpins 9 isvcarried by its own support or carrying means, which in theconstruction shown consists of a detachable pin-carrying bracket 38,adaptedto be `arranged upright at one sideIofthe rail 3, and provided atits upper and lower ends with the guiding-ears 39 and 40, respectively,the openings ofwhich` ears slidably receive the regulating element 9,which, like the other construction, consists of a yieldable pin providedat its lower end with a cushion-contact foot ll, designed to engage witha bar on the upper side of the piano-key with which IOO it isassociated. The said yieldable pressurepin 9 also has fitted thereon atan intermediate point a suitable abutment-collar 12a, between which andthe upper guiding-ear 39 is interposed a tension-spring 13 The separatemounting or pin-carrying bracket 38L for each pressure-pin 9EL isprovided at the lower end portion thereof with an engaging hook 4l,adapted to interlock with the lower undercut holding-groove 3'(a of therail, and at the diametrically opposite upper end portion the saidbracket 38 is provided with a lug 42, in which is mounted avertically-arranged retaining-screw 43, adapted to engage with the upperundercut holdinggroove 36a, thereby providing a detachable yet securefastening for the individual pincarrying bracket.

In the modification illustrated there is also shown a modified form ofoperating device for drawing the regulating-rail, with its gang ofpressure-pins, in a downward direction for effecting a regulation in thetouch. rlhis modified form of operating device includes a pull-tape 44,passing around a guidingpulley 45, supported at the bottom of thekeyboard and securely fastened at one end, as at 46, to a centralportion of the rail 3, at one side thereof. The opposite end portion oflthe tape 44 extends beneath the piano-keyboard and is securely fastened,as at 47, to the under side of a reciprocatory dovetailedadjusting-slide 48, working in a correspondingly-dovetailed slideway 49of a fixed guiding or guide block 50, fastened to the under side of thekeyboard. rlhe adjusting-slide 48 has fitted thereto a threaded nutmember 5I, engaged by the threaded shank of a setting member or screw52, having a swivel-mounting in a swivel-bracket 53, secured to theunder side of the keyboard and provided at its front end with a handleor button element 54, which is grasped by the operator to turn the screwin either direction. Through the medium of the setting member 52 theslide 48 may be moved forward or backward according to the tensiondesired to be placed upon the keys and also for permitting the springs35 to support the rail with its attachments elevated in an inoperativeposition.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction, operation, andmany advantages of the herein-described touch-regulating attachment forpianos will be readily apparent without further description, and it willalso be understood that various changes in the form, proportion, andminor details of construction may be resorted to without departing fromthe spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing any of theadvantages thereof.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed, and desired to besecured by Letters Patent, is-

l. Apiano attachment of the class described comprising avertically-movable horizontal regulating-rail having guides rigidtherewith, a plurality of independently-yieldable sliding pressure-pinsworking in the guides and corresponding in number and position to thekeys of the instrument, a spring associated with each pressure-pin andarranged to be compressed by the downward adjustment of the rail, and anoperating device having means for raising and lowering the rail.

2. Apiano attachment of the class described comprising avertically-movable regulatingrail extending the full length of thekeyboard above the latter and consisting of a framework havingrigidly-connected upper and lower railbars provided with a series ofvertically-alined guide-openings therein, a plurality of independentlyyieldable sliding pressure pins working in said guide-openings of therailbars and corresponding in number and position to the keys of theinstrument, a spring associated with each pressure-pin and arranged tobe compressed by the downward adjustment of the rail, and an operatingdevice having means for raising and lowering the regulating-rail.

3. A piano attachmentof the class described comprising a pressure memberarranged over the keyboard and bearing a plurality ofindependently-yieldable regulating elements arranged to contact with thekeys, andan operating device including a pair of pivotally-supportedsynchronously-movable adjusting-levers having loosely-interlocked innerends and provided at their outer ends with pull-rod connections with theend of the pressure member, a vertically-swinging actuating-leverpivotally hung beneath thekeyboard and having an engaging' end orelement operating beneath and against the loosely-interlocked ends ofthe adjusting-levers, a stationary nut, a screw-setting member workingthrough said nut and cooperating with said actuating-lever, and areadjusting-spring arranged to exert its tension against one of theadjusting-levers.

4. in a piano attachment of the class described, the combination with avertically-movable and spring-elevated rail bearing members coactingwith the keys, of the case having a slotted cheek-block member providedwith an indicating-scale, a carrier-rod bearing a pointer movable intheslot of the cheek-block member and playing over the scale, and apivotally-supported bell-crank lever having its separate arms connectedrespectively with the rod and said rail, the elevating-spring for therail serving to retract the pointer to its nonindicatingposition,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of twowitnesses.

LANGDON HARRISS. WV. H. KENDALL.

Witnesses:

NORMAN H. SMITH, MARIAN B. KING.

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